"I trust your words wholly and in their entirety," he says it so easily, far more so than she might have been expecting, particularly since she herself is still figuring out where her trust in him lies. "What I have less faith in is your understanding of how Ishgard works and what, precisely, will be necessary for you to be able to keep your word," it's as harsh as the earlier words are kind, but it's honest, and he tempers it a moment later with a small, slightly warmer smile, though it's still a bit forced,

"But there's time enough for that later. I could not teach a lifetime of Ishgardian politics in a single night if I even had the stomach to try. This endeavor is as fraught with potential peril as any other, but I have faith in both of us-- not to weather it without any mistakes, but to be able to weather the mistakes as well as the triumphs."

"Tell me," he continues, after another sip of his wine, "is there anything you wish for in more practical terms? You'll have your own room, of course, but do you have other preferences? Books? A particular type of tea?" this time the smile is smaller, but it's probably genuine, "I spend so little time at home, I have always endeavored to make it a place of refuge when I do. I would gladly do the same for you."